Combined envelop and letter-sheet.



D.- m. BENTON. COMBINED ENVELOP AND LETTER SHEET.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 23, 1910.

Patented Nov. 21, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

D. M. BENTON. COMBINED ENVELOPI AND LETTER SHEET.

APPLICATION FILE'D MAY 23. 1910.

Patented Nov. 21, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEBT 2.

Swumtoz Mar/"e1 gTT DANIEL 1V1. BENTON, 0F MACON, GEORGIA.

COMBINED ENVELOP AND LETTERSHEET.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed May 23, 1910.

Patented Nov. 21, l flfl. Serial No. 562,866.

' combined envelop and letter sheet.

The principal object of my invention is to form a combined envelop and letter sheet of such conformation that the contents of the letter may be securely sealed from inspection by the simple means of folding and fastening together with a single adhesive ed e.

ther objects of my invention will in part be obvious and will in part be pointed out more specifically by the specification hereinafter following, and by reference to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this application.

Throughout the several figures of the drawings and specification like numerals will be used to indicate like parts.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a preferred form of my combined envelop and letter sheet. Fig. 2 shows the envelop and letter sheet having undergone the first operation in folding before sealing. Fig. 3 illustrates the combined envelop and letter sheet showing a second operation in folding, wherein the automatic sealing flap has been folded once. Fig. 4 illustrates the combined envelop and letter sheet as being folded ready to have the adhesive flap attached to complete the sealing operation. Fig. 5 illustrates the envelop completely sealed and ready to be mailed. Fig. 6 illustrates a modification of my combined envelop'and letter sheet. Fig. 7 illustrates a second modification of my combined envelop and letter sheet.

In Fig. l, which illustrates the preferred form of my combined envelop and letter sheet, the blank sheet adapted to be used for the letter portion, comprises a portion 1 of a sheet of paper which is formed integral with a portion 2, that is adapted to be folded to form the body of the envelop. A scored or perforated line 4:, divides the letter portion from the envelop portion of my combined envelop and letter sheet. The line 4: maybe either scored or perforated. The

the letter portion 1 when taken alone.

line 4 is scored where it is desirable to have a longer letter sheet than that afforded by Tn other words, if the line 4.- is scored the writing may be continued downward from the letter head to cover the letter portion and also the portion of the sheet which forms the envelop. The line 4 is perforated where the letter portion is adapted t0 be used as a bill or check, and is intended to be entirely separated from the envelop proper. A flap or tab 5, is formed integral with the envelop portion of the sheet and extends from the left of the envelop portion to the dividing line 4, which separates the letter portion from the envelop portion. A scored line 6 divides the flap or tab portion 5 from the body of the envelop. The scored line 6 is formed in line with the 'upper edge of the letter portion. The fiap or tab 5 is preferably provided with a gummed adhesive edge 7. A second flap or tab 8 is formed on the right hand end of the letter portion and em tends substantially the entire width of the letter sheet. A scored line 9 divides the flap or tab 8 from the body portion of the letter. A longitudinal scored line 10, ertends across the envelop portion and through the middle of the letter portion of the sheet in order to facilitate the proper folding of the finished letter and envelop. It may be desirable in some c'asess to leave out the scored line 10, and to allow the folding of the envelop to be dependent upon the judgment of the user in a manner which will hereinafter be more fully described.

' In my combined envelop and letter sheetit is preferable that the envelop portion be formed of such proportions as to'be congru-' ent when one is foldedoverthe other. The flaps or tabs 5 and 8, may be formed of any desirable contour, either in the form of a triangle, straight edge, or in the curved form as I-have illustratedin Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4i and 5. The flap portion 8, which 6X- tends above the letter head when the letter is detached from the envelop, formsa convenient tab for the reception of classification numbers or briefing of the letter when the letter is desired to be filed away in a permanent filing system.

The sealing operation of my envelop is accomplished as follows :A.fter the letter or bill head has been written or filled out upon the letter portion, the envelop part of the sheet is formed through one hundred rot iio

and eighty degrees on the scored or perforatedglinee, in such manner that the envelop portion 2, completely covers the let- 't'er portion. In this relationship it will be gether, and occ pies the relationship illustrated in Fig. 3. The packet thus formed is turned with the address portion'of the envelop downward, and isfolded upon itself at its middle portion or on the line 10, in such manner that the closure sealing tab is folded in its middle in a fold at right ansheet when the letter sheet is gles to the fold which was made when the sealing tab was folded over to cover the edge of the envelop portion. lastly, the adhesive fiap or tab 5 is attached f to the back of the envelop portion and the 25 formed, as is illustrated in Fig. 5. It will completed packet ready to be mailed is be'noted that when in this final folded relationship the contents of the letter is effectively sealed from inspection or observation, because it is impossible to raise the nonadhesive closure sealing flap unless the flap is torn or mutilated in such manner'as would be easily and evidently observed by the re cipient of the missive. The envelop when completely sealed and folded, it will be noted,-readily forms a flat tubular packet which is very easily opened by inserting a paper knife in the interior of the fiat tubular packet and drawing it under the adhesive flap in'such manner as to sever the flap from the envelop proper.

In Figs. 6 and 7 is shown amodification of the invention. In Fig. 6- the envelop is formed with extended sealing portions 11 and 12, one or both of these sealing portions are adapted to be covered wit-h adhesive gum. It will be noted that the extended portions 11 and 12, lie outside of the letter iven its fold about the scored line 14, which separates the envelop from the letter body portion. This modification may also be provided with a longitudinal scored line 15, and the flap 16 is separated from the body portion of the letter by means of a scored line 17. The operation of folding this envelop is substantially the same as that described in reference to the form illustrated in Figs. 1, 2,

. 3, 4 and 5, with the exception-of the final operation in which one of the gummed edges on eitherof the flapsll and 12 1S moistened and pressed against the opposing fiap without folding either of the flaps over the envelop portion.

The modification which I have illustrated And finally and ter or circular sheet which is particularly adapted for circular use wherein it is not desired to seal the folded packet byuse ofan adhesive. In this form the envelop portion 20 is foldedover the letter sheet portion 21, about the scored line 22, and the closure sealing flap 2% is adapted to be folded over the edge of the envelop portion, similar to the operation as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, as to the preferred form. The packet thus formed, is folded upon itself on the scored lines 25 and 26, and the angular portion 27 of the letter sheet and sealing flap is inserted under the portion 28 of the closure sealing flap, thus forming a sealed packet which will retain its sealed relationship without the use of adhesive. However, where it is desirable, the portion 29 of the envelop may be provided with adhesive in case it is desirable to permanently seal this type of packet. This modification is designed particularly for the use of circulars and is intended primarily not to be sealed by use of the adhesive strip which has been hereinbefore designated as a probable addition whenever such addition is desired.

It will be noted that my combined envelop and letter sheet is formed of such a contour as to be economical in the saving of paper in its manufacture; that it may be quickly and readily folded, and securely sealed against inspection by the simple means of attaching one adhesive edge. The particular part of my invention relies on the fact that the part of the sealing operation is accomplished by means of a member held in position by folding and without the use of gum or adhesive. It will also be noted that this packet is adapted to many additional letter sheets which will be securely sealed within the envelop if they are laid upon the envelop portion before the first operation of sealing is begun.

Having thus described my invent-ion what I desire to claim as new and secure by Letand extending the full width thereof, a second flap along an edge at right angles to the first mentioned edge and spaced substantially one-half the length of said sheet from said first mentioned flap, and fold lines at right angles to each other and bisecting said sheet.

2. An article of manufacture comprising a :5 folded upon the exterior faces-of the packet,

and sealing means completely inclosing the freeedges of said packet.

4.. An article ofvmanufact ure comprising 1,5 packet'formed of a sheet of paper folded into four equal parts on lines at right angles to each other,

a flap extending at right angles to and crossed by one of said fold lines and folded upon the exterior faces of the packet, said flap extending substantially the Width of said exterior faces, and retaining 'means for the free edges of said packet.

DANIEL M. BENTON. 

